Who is WHOIS?

I am using the WHOIS client a lot these days since I am migrating some RIPE objects such as ASes, inetnum/inet6num, etc. Meanwhile, I recognized that I have never captured this TCP port 43 protocol, nor looked at it with Wireshark. That’s what this post is all about, incl. a downloadable pcap for your own analysis.

For this trace, I basically queried a couple of different names which resulted in a couple of different WHOIS queries to *some* destinations. To be honest, I don’t know exactly which destinations are chosen, but this seems to be correct. ;) Citing the manpage of whois: “the whois client tries to guess the right server to ask for the specified object”. If you are interested in more details of the tool itself, please have a look at:

Basically, WHOIS is a telnet-like TCP protocol running at port 43. Single query – single response. It is not encrypted at all but in plain text. Since all queried information is public anyway, that’s not a big deal. (However, a passive attacker can record which queries you’re sending.)

Download the pcap, 7zipped, 21 KB. I left all those surrounding DNS and ICMP packets in there intentionally:

Wireshark screenshots:

WHOIS query during traceroute -A run

Wirshark Display Filter “whois”

Traceroute does more than just ICMP

Demo Requests

These are the queries you’ll find in the trace. Besides querying the keywords that the server supports, I asked for some domains of different TLDs (which failed for *.blog), IPv4 and IPv6 networks, an ASN, a RIPE handle (which worked with the -a option) and a full name (which is quite common in German and hence lists many different persons):

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whois-qversion

whois-qtypes

whois-qsources

whois weberlab.de

whois weberblog.net

whois netsec.blog

whois apnic.net

whois193.24.227.230

whois2003:51:6012::/48

whois2001:dd8:9:2::101:61

whois AS31054

whois JW2311

whois-aJW2311

whois-aKlaus Mueller

Here is the full listing with all answeres: (Grr, for whatever reason after each line starting with a %, the listing plugin adds a newline. Sorry.)

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weberjoh@nb15-lx:~$ whois -q version

% This is the RIPE Database query service.

% The objects are in RPSL format.

%

% The RIPE Database is subject to Terms and Conditions.

% See http://www.ripe.net/db/support/db-terms-conditions.pdf

% whois-server-1.96

% This query was served by the RIPE Database Query Service version 1.96 (WAGYU)

weberjoh@nb15-lx:~$ whois -q types

% This is the RIPE Database query service.

% The objects are in RPSL format.

%

% The RIPE Database is subject to Terms and Conditions.

% See http://www.ripe.net/db/support/db-terms-conditions.pdf

inetnum

inet6num

as-block

aut-num

as-set

route

route6

route-set

inet-rtr

filter-set

peering-set

rtr-set

domain

poetic-form

poem

mntner

irt

key-cert

organisation

role

person

% This query was served by the RIPE Database Query Service version 1.96 (BLAARKOP)

weberjoh@nb15-lx:~$ whois -q sources

% This is the RIPE Database query service.

% The objects are in RPSL format.

%

% The RIPE Database is subject to Terms and Conditions.

% See http://www.ripe.net/db/support/db-terms-conditions.pdf

RIPE:3:N:0-0

RIPE-NONAUTH:3:N:0-0

AFRINIC-GRS:3:N:0-0

APNIC-GRS:3:N:0-0

ARIN-GRS:3:N:0-0

JPIRR-GRS:3:N:0-0

LACNIC-GRS:3:N:0-0

RADB-GRS:3:N:0-0

RIPE-GRS:3:N:0-0

% This query was served by the RIPE Database Query Service version 1.96 (ANGUS)

weberjoh@nb15-lx:~$ whois weberlab.de

% Restricted rights.

%

% Terms and Conditions of Use

%

% The above data may only be used within the scope of technical or

% administrative necessities of Internet operation or to remedy legal

% problems.

% The use for other purposes, in particular for advertising, is not permitted.

%

% The DENIC whois service on port 43 doesn't disclose any information concerning

% the domain holder, general request and abuse contact.

% This information can be obtained through use of our web-based whois service

% This query was served by the RIPE Database Query Service version 1.96 (ANGUS)

weberjoh@nb15-lx:~$ whois 2003:51:6012::/48

% This is the RIPE Database query service.

% The objects are in RPSL format.

%

% The RIPE Database is subject to Terms and Conditions.

% See http://www.ripe.net/db/support/db-terms-conditions.pdf

% Note: this output has been filtered.

% To receive output for a database update, use the "-B" flag.

% Information related to '2003:51:6012::/48'

% Abuse contact for '2003:51:6012::/48' is 'auftrag@nic.telekom.de'

inet6num: 2003:51:6012::/48

netname: BUNDESBANK-NERZ-FRANKFURT-NET

descr: TSI fuer Deutsche Bundesbank

country: DE

admin-c: IS4265-RIPE

tech-c: IS4265-RIPE

status: ASSIGNED

mnt-by: DTAG-NIC

created: 2018-03-06T09:10:55Z

last-modified: 2018-03-06T09:10:55Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

person: Ingolf Stange

address: e-Shelter co. Dt.Bundesbank

address: Eschborner Landstr. 100

address: 60489 Frankfurt

address: DE

phone: +498928892394

fax-no: +49697090972394

nic-hdl: IS4265-RIPE

mnt-by: DTAG-NIC

created: 2013-01-28T10:28:05Z

last-modified: 2013-01-28T10:28:05Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% Information related to '2003::/23AS3320'

route6: 2003::/23

descr: DTAG European region optimized

origin: AS3320

member-of: AS3320:RS-PA-TELEKOM-REGIONALS

mnt-by: DTAG-RR

created: 2014-02-20T18:06:20Z

last-modified: 2014-02-20T18:06:20Z

source: RIPE

% This query was served by the RIPE Database Query Service version 1.96 (BLAARKOP)

weberjoh@nb15-lx:~$ whois 2001:dd8:9:2::101:61

% [whois.apnic.net]

% Whois data copyright terms http://www.apnic.net/db/dbcopyright.html

% Information related to '2001:dd8:8::/45'

% Abuse contact for '2001:dd8:8::/45' is 'noc@apnic.net'

inet6num: 2001:dd8:8::/45

netname: APNIC-SERVICES-AU

descr: Asia Pacific Network Information Centre

descr: Regional Internet Registry for the Asia-Pacific Region

descr: 6 Cordelia Street

descr: PO Box 3646

descr: South Brisbane, QLD 4101

descr: Australia

country: AU

org: ORG-APNI1-AP

admin-c: AIC1-AP

tech-c: AIC1-AP

mnt-by: APNIC-HM

mnt-routes: MAINT-APNIC-IS-AP

mnt-irt: IRT-APNIC-IS-AP

status: ASSIGNED PORTABLE

last-modified: 2018-10-08T03:16:31Z

source: APNIC

irt: IRT-APNIC-IS-AP

remarks: APNIC Infrastructure Services

address: South Brisbane, Australia

e-mail: noc@apnic.net

abuse-mailbox: noc@apnic.net

admin-c: AIC1-AP

tech-c: AIC1-AP

auth: # Filtered

mnt-by: MAINT-APNIC-IS-AP

last-modified: 2018-11-04T23:43:29Z

source: APNIC

organisation: ORG-APNI1-AP

org-name: Asia Pacific Network Information Centre

remarks: APNIC Infrastructure Services

country: AU

address: 6 Cordelia Street

phone: +61-7-3858-3100

fax-no: +61-7-3858-3199

e-mail: noc@apnic.net

mnt-ref: APNIC-HM

mnt-by: APNIC-HM

last-modified: 2018-06-06T05:06:58Z

source: APNIC

role: APNIC Infrastructure Contact

address: 6 Cordelia Street

address: South Brisbane

address: QLD 4101

country: AU

phone: +61 7 3858 3100

fax-no: +61 7 3858 3199

e-mail: noc@apnic.net

admin-c: HM20-AP

tech-c: NO4-AP

nic-hdl: AIC1-AP

mnt-by: MAINT-APNIC-IS-AP

last-modified: 2018-10-08T02:52:19Z

source: APNIC

% Information related to '2001:dd8:9::/48AS4608'

route6: 2001:dd8:9::/48

descr: APNIC Network

country: AU

origin: AS4608

mnt-by: MAINT-APNIC-IS-AP

last-modified: 2018-11-20T03:36:54Z

source: APNIC

% This query was served by the APNIC Whois Service version 1.88.15-46 (WHOIS-UK4)

weberjoh@nb15-lx:~$ whois AS31054

% This is the RIPE Database query service.

% The objects are in RPSL format.

%

% The RIPE Database is subject to Terms and Conditions.

% See http://www.ripe.net/db/support/db-terms-conditions.pdf

% Note: this output has been filtered.

% To receive output for a database update, use the "-B" flag.

% Information related to 'AS31000 - AS31064'

as-block: AS31000 - AS31064

descr: RIPE NCC ASN block

remarks: These AS Numbers are assigned to network operators in the RIPE NCC service region.

mnt-by: RIPE-NCC-HM-MNT

created: 2018-11-22T15:27:33Z

last-modified: 2018-11-22T15:27:33Z

source: RIPE

% Information related to 'AS31054'

% Abuse contact for 'AS31054' is 'abuse@arcor-ip.de'

aut-num: AS31054

as-name: HELPAG-AS

org: ORG-TRIG1-RIPE

import: from AS3209 action pref=100; accept any

export: to AS3209 announce AS31054

import: from AS8196 action pref=100; accept any

export: to AS8196 announce AS31054

admin-c: TLA126-RIPE

tech-c: TLA126-RIPE

status: ASSIGNED

mnt-by: RIPE-NCC-END-MNT

mnt-by: HELPAG-MNT

mnt-by: DE-COLT-MNT

created: 2004-02-16T12:50:14Z

last-modified: 2018-09-04T10:00:53Z

source: RIPE

sponsoring-org: ORG-MAT1-RIPE

organisation: ORG-TRiG1-RIPE

org-name: TUEV Rheinland i-sec GmbH

org-type: OTHER

address: Zum Wartturm 9

address: 63571 Gelnhausen

address: Germany

abuse-c: AR26941-RIPE

mnt-ref: ARCOR-MNT

mnt-by: ARCOR-MNT

created: 2012-04-18T06:13:55Z

last-modified: 2014-11-17T22:28:06Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

person: Thomas Laubrock

address: Zum Warttrum 9, 63571 Gelnhausen

mnt-by: HELPAG-MNT

phone: +49 6051 974929

nic-hdl: TLA126-RIPE

created: 2010-12-02T16:57:47Z

last-modified: 2011-02-23T14:25:35Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% This query was served by the RIPE Database Query Service version 1.96 (WAGYU)

weberjoh@nb15-lx:~$ whois JW2311

No whois server is known for this kind of object.

weberjoh@nb15-lx:~$ whois -a JW2311

% This is the RIPE Database query service.

% The objects are in RPSL format.

%

% The RIPE Database is subject to Terms and Conditions.

% See http://www.ripe.net/db/support/db-terms-conditions.pdf

% Note: this output has been filtered.

% To receive output for a database update, use the "-B" flag.

% Information related to 'JW2311'

person: Johannes Weber

address: Freigerichter Str. 1-3

address: 63571

address: Gelnhausen

address: GERMANY

phone: +49 174 1880211

nic-hdl: JW2311

mnt-by: mnt-de-tr-isec-1

created: 2019-09-17T12:43:49Z

last-modified: 2019-09-17T12:56:01Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% This query was served by the RIPE Database Query Service version 1.96 (WAGYU)

weberjoh@nb15-lx:~$ whois -a Klaus Mueller

% This is the RIPE Database query service.

% The objects are in RPSL format.

%

% The RIPE Database is subject to Terms and Conditions.

% See http://www.ripe.net/db/support/db-terms-conditions.pdf

% Note: this output has been filtered.

% To receive output for a database update, use the "-B" flag.

% Information related to 'KM1011-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: Metrax GmbH - Medical Systems

address: Rheinwaldstrasse 22

address: DE 78628 Rottweil

address: Germany

phone: +49 7171 402 296

fax-no: +49 7171 9402 296

nic-hdl: KM1011-RIPE

created: 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z

last-modified: 2016-04-05T16:11:42Z

mnt-by: RIPE-NCC-LOCKED-MNT

source: RIPE

% Information related to 'KM125-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: Lernstudio Barbarossa / MegaKids Computerschule GmbH

address: Luxemburger Stra▒e 1-3

address: 67657 Kaiserslautern

address: GERMANY

phone: +49-631-362410

nic-hdl: KM125-RIPE

mnt-by: inexio-mnt

created: 2009-07-23T08:20:32Z

last-modified: 2010-10-04T14:09:43Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% Information related to 'KM1538-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: Wasserwerk Gerauer Land

address: Breslauer Str.10

address: 64521 Gro▒-Gerau

address: Germany

phone: +49 6152981726

fax-no: +49 6152981734

nic-hdl: KM1538-RIPE

mnt-by: TITANNET-MNT

created: 2004-08-16T09:34:16Z

last-modified: 2009-05-14T11:58:02Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% Information related to 'KM1563-RIPE'

person: KLAUS MUELLER

address: DIMA SERVICE AG

address: HAGENTHALERSTR 150

address: 4124 SCH▒NENBUCH

address: Switzerland

phone: +41 0617662525

nic-hdl: KM1563-RIPE

created: 2004-09-06T16:05:50Z

last-modified: 2016-04-06T15:30:03Z

mnt-by: RIPE-NCC-LOCKED-MNT

source: RIPE

% Information related to 'KM1567-RIPE'

person: KLAUS MUELLER

address: DIMA SERVICE AG

address: HAGENTHALERSTR 150

address: 4124 SCHOENENBUCH

address: Switzerland

phone: +41 0617612577

nic-hdl: KM1567-RIPE

created: 2004-09-08T09:05:33Z

last-modified: 2016-04-06T15:32:13Z

mnt-by: RIPE-NCC-LOCKED-MNT

source: RIPE

% Information related to 'KM1571-RIPE'

person: KLAUS MUELLER

address: DIMA SERVICE AG

address: HAGENTHALERSTRASSE 150

address: 4124 SCHOENENBUCH

address: Switzerland

phone: +41 0617860013

nic-hdl: KM1571-RIPE

created: 2004-09-08T22:10:30Z

last-modified: 2016-04-06T15:32:46Z

mnt-by: RIPE-NCC-LOCKED-MNT

source: RIPE

% Information related to 'KM2307-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: Schwarz + Hansen GmbH

address: Billstrasse 148

address: D-20539 Hamburg

address: GERMANY

phone: +49 40 7812114

nic-hdl: KM2307-RIPE

mnt-by: HANSENET-NOC

created: 2006-11-16T13:22:22Z

last-modified: 2012-01-02T06:26:20Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% Information related to 'KM2332-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: Le Patron Regina AG

address: Rohrmattstrasse 1

address: CH-4461 Boeckten

address: Switzerland

phone: +41 61 985 85 85

fax-no: +41 61 985 85 86

nic-hdl: KM2332-RIPE

mnt-by: CH-GREEN-MNT

created: 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z

last-modified: 2012-09-29T02:40:03Z

source: RIPE

% Information related to 'KM2360-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: Phonework GmbH

address: Sebastian-Tiefenthaler-Str. 11

address: D-83101 Rohrdorf

address: Germany

phone: +49.8031901800

fax-no: +49.803190180180

nic-hdl: KM2360-RIPE

mnt-by: MNET-MNT

created: 2007-07-04T14:50:25Z

last-modified: 2007-07-04T14:50:25Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% Information related to 'KM2638-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: TWT Digital Health GmbH

address: Im Schuhmachergewann 6

address: 69123 Heidelberg

address: GERMANY

phone: +49 6221 822020

fax-no: +49 6221 822040

nic-hdl: KM2638-RIPE

mnt-by: MNT-PlusServer

created: 2007-12-09T19:39:55Z

last-modified: 2019-01-24T08:05:21Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% Information related to 'KM275-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: Roemer Etikett GmbH Elnhausen

address: DE 35041 Marburg

phone: +49 6420 8232 27

fax-no: +49 6420 8232 82

nic-hdl: KM275-RIPE

created: 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z

last-modified: 2016-04-05T14:54:14Z

mnt-by: RIPE-NCC-LOCKED-MNT

source: RIPE

% Information related to 'KM3976-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: Pure Nature Products Versand GmbH

address: Zur Rothheck 14

address: 55743 Idar-Oberstein

address: DE

phone: +49 6781 983990

nic-hdl: KM3976-RIPE

mnt-by: DTAG-NIC

created: 2012-02-28T13:58:18Z

last-modified: 2012-02-28T13:58:18Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% Information related to 'KM5813-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: EBRA-Dienstleistungen GmbH & Co.KG

address: Freiburger Str. 28 /1

address: 88400 Biberach an der Riss

address: DE

phone: +49 751359530

nic-hdl: KM5813-RIPE

mnt-by: DTAG-NIC

created: 2015-04-14T05:55:51Z

last-modified: 2015-04-14T05:55:51Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% Information related to 'KM6262-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: P.W. Hieronimi Moderner Baubedarf GmbH

address: Industriestr. 7

address: 54486 Muelheim

address: DE

phone: +49 2671 60640

nic-hdl: KM6262-RIPE

mnt-by: DTAG-NIC

created: 2015-12-28T08:28:25Z

last-modified: 2015-12-28T08:28:25Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% Information related to 'KM6777-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: IST METZ GmbH

address: Lauterstr. 18

address: 72622 Nuertingen

address: IST METZ GmbH

address: 72622 Nuertingen

phone: +4970226002450

fax-no: +497022600276

nic-hdl: KM6777-RIPE

mnt-by: DTAG-NIC

created: 2016-10-18T11:25:40Z

last-modified: 2016-10-18T11:25:40Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% Information related to 'KM8474-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: Kastanienallee, 16567, Muehlenbecker Land, Deutschland

phone: +49 33056 86211

mnt-by: DTAG-NIC

nic-hdl: KM8474-RIPE

created: 2019-02-07T12:26:29Z

last-modified: 2019-02-07T12:26:29Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

% Information related to 'KM969-RIPE'

person: Klaus Mueller

address: IDG Informationsverarbeitung

address: Gothaer Allee 1

address: 50969 Koln

address: DE

phone: +49 221 3082171

nic-hdl: KM969-RIPE

mnt-by: EU-IBM-NIC-MNT2

created: 1970-01-01T00:00:00Z

last-modified: 2001-09-21T23:40:17Z

source: RIPE

% Information related to 'MK19800-RIPE'

person: Mueller Klaus

address: Brigitte Exclusiv AG

address: Gossau

address: Switzerland

phone: +004972313031712

nic-hdl: MK19800-RIPE

created: 2016-11-02T10:40:52Z

last-modified: 2016-11-02T10:40:52Z

source: RIPE # Filtered

mnt-by: AS6730-MNT

% This query was served by the RIPE Database Query Service version 1.96 (WAGYU)

Real World Use Case: traceroute -A

One major, but probably unknown, use case of WHOIS is the traceroute tool when performed with the -A option to perform AS path lookups in routing registries. It then does not only issue IP packets with increased hop limits (and printing the ICMP hop limit exceeded error messages) but also sends WHOIS queries along with DNS PTR requests.